Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas

A flying octopus? Tako-copter

A flying octopus? A toy like a bamboo-copter made from a paper cup: the 'TacoCopter' #easyCraft #paperCup #flyingCraft

It’s a toy that combines paper cups and a round chopstick to spin like a bamboo-copter and soar into the sky.

By spreading “wings” that catch the wind and coloring it mainly red, it takes on a curious form—a flying octopus.

You’ll use two paper cups and a round chopstick: attach the chopstick and the octopus’s facial parts to a paper cup with only the bottom left to create a launcher.

Then cut slits into the other paper cup, spread it out to form propeller-like blades, and attach it to the launcher to finish.

Fine-tune the propeller angles to make your octopus fly even higher.

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kappamaki

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Well-spinning paper cup top

[Playable Craft] How to Make a Simple, Well-Spinning Top (Paper Cup & Plastic Bottle Cap) [Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials] Fun at Home

This is a spinning top made with a paper cup that spins well and is fun to watch because of its colorful look.

All you need are a paper cup and two plastic bottle caps.

First, cut slits into the paper cup and spread them out like propeller blades, then attach an axle made by combining the two caps.

That’s enough to complete the basic shape, but it’s recommended to decorate the “propellers” with an eye toward how it will look while spinning.

The impression changes depending on whether you spread the propellers before decorating or decorate first and then cut the slits, so try out various patterns.

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kappamaki

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Paper Cup UFO Catcher

How to make a UFO catcher with paper cups? Crafting tips from a nursery teacher (for 5-year-olds)

The “Paper Cup UFO Catcher” is a popular DIY recreation idea you can enjoy with elementary school kids.

Cut eight slits into a paper cup to make tentacle-like arms, then insert a straw through the center to move it.

Place another paper cup over the top and move it up and down—this opens and closes the arms.

The moment it grabs the target is super exciting! It’s easy to make with everyday materials, yet the movement feels authentic and makes it really fun to play.

Figuring out the controls is part of the charm, and it gets even more exciting when friends compete.

It’s a recommended activity that combines the joy of crafting with the sense of achievement from a game.

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kojifumi

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Flapping Owl

[Craft] Flapping Owl Made from Paper Cups (in Asoppa!)

Let’s make a cute owl with flapping wings! Cut two slits on the sides of a paper cup to form the wings.

Stack another paper cup inside or over it, and cut matching slits in the lower cup so they align with the wings, then attach the two cups together.

Next, cut out eyes, a beak, and properly shaped wings from construction paper, and glue them on to finish.

If you move the lower part of the stacked cups, the wings will flap!

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SAKI

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windmill

How to Make and Teach a Paper Cup Windmill: Easy Craft for Kids to Play and Learn

Here’s an idea for a pinwheel you can make using a paper cup.

Besides the paper cup, all you need are a straw and a cotton swab, so it’s easy to put together.

First, make a hole in the center of the bottom of the paper cup.

Next, cut six evenly spaced straight slits from the rim down toward the bottom, then spread them out slightly at an angle to form the blades.

Decorate the blades with markers if you like, and you’re almost done.

Insert the cotton swab’s stick through the hole you made first, then attach it to the short end of a bendy straw.

That’s it! It’s simple to make, yet it spins smoothly when it catches the wind.

Try adjusting the angle of the blades to see how it changes the way it spins!

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Hane Keisuke

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